Fluid-pressure engine



Sept 1, 1925.

W. E. BAKER FLUID PRESSURE ENGINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 9, 1921Sept. 1, 1925. V 1,552,193

w. E. BAKER FLUID PRESSURE ENGINE Sept 1 1925.

W. E. BAKER FLUID PRESSURE ENGINE Filed April 9, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheot 3III! bushing.

Patented Sept. 1, 1925.

WILLIAM E. BAKER, 0F ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA,

rLurn-rnnssnnn ENGINE.

Application filed April 9, 1921. Serial n. 460,034.

To all whom it may concern:

Be' it known that I, VILLIAM E. BAKER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Erie, in the county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Fluid-Pressure Engines,of which the following is a speci fication. i

My invention relates to fluid pressure engines,'particularly those ofthe rotary type and comprises an improved construction and -mounting ofthe fluid pressure distributing valve.

One object of my invention is to increase the efliciency of an engine ofthis type by mounting the distributing valve on the engine casingthereby avoiding pressure by one side of the valve body against itsbushing due to the presence of fluid under pressure between the oppositeside of the body and theadjacent portion of its bushing.

Engines of this type are usually steam driven and another object of myinvention is to isolate the live steam in the valve body inlet chamberfrom the exhaust steam in the exhaust passage thereby maintaining thetemperature of the live steam.

An additional object of my invention is to prevent the expansion of thevalve body, due to high temperature and steam pressure, from retardingthe operation of the valve and engine. I prefer to do this byconstructing the valve in two parts, utilizing a split ring between thevalve body and the 'valve bushing, and a further object of my inven- Ition is to provide a novel device for contracting this ringautomatically when the interior pressure tends to bind'the ring and :Anadditional object ofrny invention to reduce the area or volume of'theinlet chamber of the valve and to locate the cut off plate within, thereduced chamber.

Other objects of my invention are to provide particular features ofconstruction as hereafter described; to enable the valve mechanism toperform its functions efliciently.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of myinvention incorporated in a rotary engine, but I do not limit myself tothis particular embodiment of instfallation as will more fully appearhereina ter. 1

Fig .1 is a vertical transverse section through the distributing valveand associated parts and the casing-wh ch contains same,

and on the line 11 of F 2.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2'2 of Fig. 1. i V

Fig. 3 is a section similar to that shown in 1, but illustrating amodification of my invention. I v

Fig. 1 is a section on line 1et of: Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a side elevation,partly in section showing my improved distributing valve embodied in arotary engine,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the valve body ring.

Fig. 7 is a plan. view of the valve bodyv 3 and valve body ring 4 at thesplit in said 1 a Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the valve body, partlyin section. v

Referring at first to Figures 1, 2, 6', 7 and 8 of the drawings, whichshow the preferred embodiment of the valve, it will be explained thatthe reference character "1 designates a cylindrical casingv which iscarried by and rotates with the rotatable crank case of the engine aswill hereinafter-[appear. The valve casing is provided with a pluralityof ports 11 leading to the respective cylinders of the rotary engine. -lVithin the valve casing is a valve unit which normally stationary and ismadeup of the two elements 3 and l. The element 3 is the valve body,which 18 segmental in general.

form and includes a cylindrical hub 5,

hrough which steam or other fluid pressure is led to the valve,- radialarms 9 and a rim 10 carried by the: outer endsiof said arms. The arms 9are hollow and con stitute flui d pressure passages leading from the'hub5 to the rim 10 so as to conduct, pressure from the interior of the hubto the respective recesses 10 in the outer pe-' rip-hery of the rim 10,which recesse's constitute ports for successive alignment with the ports11 of the casing 1. The outer face of the rim 10 is provided with a bossor raised portion 10 and the ports 10 are formed in this boss or raisedportion Inasmuch as the valve body is segmental in shape I employ thepacking ringl: embracing the valve member 3 and completing a circularvalve unit so as to give the valve a working fit within the cylindricalcasing and also preventthe escape of fluid pressure. If desired abushing 2 may be em- .sure to .expand the ring.

' ployed betweenthe valve unit and the easring 4 is a split ring, thetransverse split being shown at 12. In one side of the packing ring 4there is a peripheral slot 19 in which snugly fits the boss 10 of thevalve body 3, whereby the two members are united for simultaneousrotation in reversing the engine. Diametrically opposite the slot 19 aperipheral groove or channel 20 is formed in the exterior of the packingring 4, and this groove or channel is designed for the relief of backpressure from the engine cylinders as will be hereinafter explained.Between the channeled portion 20 of the packing ring 4 and the hub 5 ofthe valve member there is a space 21. and in this space is received anysteam that may escape from the ports and between the rim 10 of the valveand the packing ring 4. The pressure in the space or chamber 21 willtend to expand the split packing ring 4 and create undesirable frictionagainst the valve casing, and to overcome this objection, means isprovided, within the chamber 21 and actuated by the pressure therein tocontract the packing ring and thus off-set the tendency of the pres- Inaccomplishing this object, a substantially radial cylinder 18 isprovided upon the inner periphery of the packing ring 4 and within thechamber 21. Within the cylinder 18 there is a piston 17, open topressure in the chamber 21 through the open inner end of the cylinder18. Associated with the piston 17 is a bell crank lever 14 fulcrumed at15 in a seat or recess provided in one end of the valve body 3. Theshort arm 14 of the bell crank lever engages against one side of a bossor shoulder 16 on one end portion of the packing ring 4, the oppositeend of the packing ring being secured to the valve body by a suitablefastening such as shown at 13 in Figures 1 and 7. With thisconstruction, pressure which accumulates in the chamber 21 tends to movethe piston 17 to the right, thereby rocking the bell crank 14 on itsfulcrum 15 so that its short arm 14 presses against the abutment 16 anddraws the free end of the split packing ring 4 towards the opposite andfixed end and thus contracts the packing ring and prevents a too tightfit of the packing ring against the valve casing as would otherwiseoccur, under pressure accumulating in the chamber 21. I V

For the purpose of controlling the How of fluid pressure from the valvehub 5 into the radial. distributing passages 9, there is provided acut-01f 8 in the form of a segmental plate fitting within the hub andconnected by an arm 8 to a rotatable rod 7, so that by rotating the rod7, the cut-off 3 may be set within the hub 5 to leave the passages 9open, as in Figure 1 or to close any one or more of the inner open endsof the distributing passages 9, whereby the engine may be started andstopped and the supply of fluid pressure controlled.

By reference to Figure 2 it will be seen that the cylindrical valvecasing 1 has op-' posite side walls 1 and 1* provided respectively withcentral cylindrical chambers 1 and l The chamber 1 is closed at itsouter end, but the end wall of the chamber 1 is provided with anoutwardly directed sleeve portion 1 through which extends one endportion of the valve hub 5. The inner end portion of the hub 5, whichcarries the segmentalvalve member 3 is slightly'enlarged and occupiesthe chambers 1 and 1. Suitable anti-friction bearings 6 are employed inthe chambers 1 and 1 and between the hub 5 and the cylindrical portionsof said chambers, whereby the casing 1 is mounted to rotate upon thestationary hub 5. These anti-friction bearings maintain the centeredrelation of the valve casing-1. and the valve body regardless of thesteam pressure within the casing, which steam pressure has a tendency toforce the valve 3 edgewise and against theinterior walls of the casing1, as will be understood by reference to Figure 1 of thedrawings,because of the steam pressure acting through the distributingpassages 9 and against the interior of the cylindrical portion 1 of thevalve casing.

For an understanding of the application and operation of the presentdistributing valve, reference is made to Figure 5 of the drawingswherein 36 designates a stationary engine casing within which isrotatably mounted the valve of the present invention carried by androtatable with the crank case of a rotary engine. The crank caseincludes opposite side plates 38 and 39 between which are carried aseries of engine cylinders, one of which has been shown at 33, andincludes a piston 31. Exhaust ports are shown at 32 in opposite sides ofthe cylinder. Suitably connected to the piston isa connecting rod 40provided with an eccentric strap 41 embracing one of a series of fixedeccentrics 42 which are secured to a fixed-head 43, as by suitablefastening means 44. The head 43 is carried by a sleeve 45 extendingthrough an opening in the stationary casing 36 and held therein againstrotationby a key 46. Four fixed eccentrics 42 have been shown, one foreach engine cylinder. The crank case side plate 38 is mounted to rotateon the fixed sleeve 45, and a suitable anti-friction bearing 47 isprovided between the plate 38 and the sleeve 45. The opposite crank caseface plate 39 is carried by the adjacent side wall 1 of the valvecasing, and is shown in the drawing as integral therewith, althoughitvmay be bolted or otherwise secured thereto. power shaft 48 isrotatably mounted in the sleeve 45, extends through the fixed eccentrics42 and has its inner end secured to the crank case side plate 39 bysuitable fastenings, one of which has been shown at 49, whereby theshaft will rotate with the crank case.

The valve of the present invention is located between the rotary crankcase and the I left side of the stationary engine casing 31.),

andreach valve port 11, is connected with the outer end of one of theengine cylinders 33 by a pipe or conduit 11. The sleeve 1 and the valvehub 5 extend outwardly through the left side of the stationary enginecasing and through a. stufiing box 50 carried by the casing. Ananti-friction bearing 51 is provided between the sleeve 1 and thestationary casing 36, which together with the bearing 47 maintains therotary crank case concentric upon the axial support afforded by. thefixed sleeve 45 and the fixed hub -5 of the valve. Carried by the outerend of the sleeve 1 is a stufling box 52 surrounding the hub 5 whichlatter projects beyond the stufiing box and connects with an elbow 53that is in communication with a source of fluid pressure. The pres--sure supply pipe, not shown, which connects with the elbow of courseholds the latter in place, and the hub 5 is mounted foradjustablerotation in the elbow. Between the elbow and the stufiing box52, there is a lever 54 which is clamped upon or otherwise secured tothe hub 5, for convenience in adjustably rotating the same to bring thedis; tributing passages 9 of the valve to either of two diametricallyopposite positions so as to effect reversing ofthe-engine, The rod 7extends through a stufling box 55 on the el bow 53, and on its outer endis provided a lever 56 for convenience in rotating the rod 7 wvhich inturn rotates the cut-off member 8 to open and close the inner ends-ofthedistributing passages 9for throttling the steam supply. The inner endofthe hub is closed in any suitable manner as a plug 57, toprevent theescape of steam around the inner end of the hub and into the bearings 6.

In the operation of an engine as illus 5 embodying the valve of thepresent i vention, it will be explained ,su'ch as on being it c to theelbow 3, flows'through the 5, then through the distributing passa' s 9of the valve, see Figure 1,to the c ports ldand thence through the raketrated in Fi gure hn J 3 casing ports 11 and the respective conduits 11to the outer ends of the respective e'n- 1" best shown in Fi ure 2 .ofthe drawin s rotates with the crank case and therefore turns around thefixed or stationary valve member 3, whereby. steam is supplied to therespective engine cylinders as the ports 11 come into registration withthe successive ports 10 of the, stationary valve member. Exhaust fromeach cylinder 33 takes place through the exhaust ports 32, in the usualmanner and into the stationary engine casing 36 from Which, it escapesthrough'the exhaust f pipe 37. On the return stroke of the piston 31,and after the latter closes the exhaust ports 32, the back-pressurecreated in the cylinder will be conducted back through the conduit 11the port 11 and into the exhaust channel or conduit 20 of the packingring portion 4 of thevalve, and thence through one-or, more of the ports11 to 'suchengine cylinders as have their ports 32 uncovered,v wherebysuch back pressure will escape through the exhaust ports 32 into theengine, casin'g 36,,and thence through the exhaustjpipe 37. Itwill nowbe understood that by having the v exhaust channel 20diametrically"opposite and therefore remote, from the distributingpassages 9 of thevalve, and also separated therefrom by the space21,that the relatively cool exhau'st steam which is, being conducted ofi'through the channel 20 is remote from the incoming hot livesteam, andtherefore the back pressure, exhaust is maintained so far away from theincoming live hot steam that the latter is not cooled by the backpressure exhaust.

lVhile I have illustrated in Figure 5 one form of means for effectingrotation of a plurality of radially disposed engine cylinders, it willo'f course be understoodthat means other than fixed cams or eccentricsand eccentric straps may be employed for accomplishing this p'urpo seasthe present valve invention is in nowise dependent upon any form ofmeans for effecting rotation of the crank casing. V p

In Figures,3 and 4 I have illustrated a slight modification in thevalve. 3, and instead of having the segmental valve member witl'iinthe'valve' casing, and the back pres sure exhaust channel 20 is providedin the periphery of the valve member 3- diametrically opposite thedistributing passages 9, so that it will be understood that the relationof the live steam distributing passages 9 and the baclr pressure exiaust channel is the same in each form of the valve. In the form shownin Fi ure 3, the-valve 3 is or skeleton formation so as to provide thespace or spaces 22 having the function of spacing the channel 20 fromthe distributing passages 9 the same as in Figure 1. However, steamcannot get into the spaces 22, except by leakage through the pores ofthe metal, and such leakage is negligible, In this einbodiment of thevalve, cylindrical flanges 24 are provided upon the opposite side wallsof the valve casing and are received within circular grooves 25 formedin the valve body and assist in prevent the escape of steam into thespaces 22 of the valve body.

I The prime difference between the valve constructions shown in Figures1 and 3' is that in Figurefi the valve is an integral casting, whereasin Figure 1 the valve unit is made up of a segmentalvalve body 8 and Ithe split ring 4 thereby to compensate for any expansion'otf the valvebody due to high temperature and steam pressure through the contractionof the split rm 4 in the manner .hereinbeitore described.

I claim:

1. In a valve for afluid pressure engine, a rotatable casing, a valvebushing, a stationary valve body ring rotatably settable Within saidbushing, a valve body within said ring and rotatably settable therewith,and fluid pressure distributing passages in said body projecting throughsaid ring into contact with said bushing.

2. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine. a rotatable casing, a valvebushing, ports in said bushing and easing, a stationary valve body ringrotatably settable within said bushing, a valve positioned within saidring and rotatably settable therewith, adistribut" ing sector in saidbody projecting through saidring, a fluid pressureinlet in said body,and ports in said sector adapted to align with said bushing and easingports.

3. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, arotatable casing, a valvebushing, a stationary valve body ring rotatably settable within saidbushing, a peripheral slot in said ring, a valve body rotatably settablewith said ring and comprising a fluid pressure distributing sectorprojecting radially through said slot, a fluid pressure inlet axiallydisposed in said body, and supply ports radially disposed in saidsector.

4. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a rotatable casing, a valvebushing, ports in said bushing, a stationary valve body ring rotatablysettable within said bushing, 21 back pressure exhaust passage in saidring adapted to be connected with one or; more of said ports, a valvebody within said ring rotatably settable therewith and projecting, inpart through same, and provided with a fluid pressureinletand withsupply ports adapted to be connected with said bushing ports.

5. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a rotatable casing, a valvebushing, a stationary valve body ring rotatably settable within saidbushing, a peripheral slot in said ring, a valve'body rotatably settablewith said ring and comprising a fluid pressure distributing sectorprojecting V radially through said slot, a fluid pressure inlet in saidbody, supply ports radially disposed in said sector and means forpreventing the fluid pressure between said bushing and said sector fromforcing said body against said ring on the side opposite said sector.

6. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a rotatable casing, a valvebushing, a stationary valve body ring rotatably settable within saidbushing, a peripheral slot in said ring, a valve body, rotatablysettable with said ring and comprising a fluid pressure distributingsector projecting radially through said slot, a fluid pressure inlet insaid body, supplyports radially disposed in saidsector anda floatingmounting for said valve body in said casing whereby the fluid pressurebetween said bushing and said sector is prevented from forcing said bodyagainst said ring on the side opposite said sector. Q Q

7. In a valve for a fluid pressureengine, a rotatable casing, astationary valve for distributing fluid under pressure through saidcasing comprising a valve body ring and a valve body and journalingmeans for said ring on said casing. V I

8., In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a casing, a stationary valvefor distributing fluid under pressure through said casing comprising avalve body ring and a valve body, and anti-friction bearings between thecasing and the valve body. I

9. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a rotatable casing, acircular valve bus-hing contained therein, a stationary circulardistributing valve body within said bushing and means for mounting saidbody on said casing independentlyof said bushing.

10. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a distributing valve havinginlet and supply passages located on one. side of an axial plane, a backpressure exhaust passage located on the opposite side of said plane andspaced from said inlet and supply passages. 11. In a valve for a fluidpressure engine, a distributing valve including a valve body providedwith inlet and supply passages located on one side of an axial plane,and a valve ring surrounding said body and provided with a back pressureexhaust passage in said ring and spaced from said inlet and supplypassages.

12. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine,

a distributing valve having an axially dis posed inlet passage, supplypassages radial- 1y disposed about said body, and a back pressureexhaust passage disposed in a semicircular arc about the periphery ofsaid body and diametrically opposite said supply passages.

13. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a distributing valveincluding a valve body comprising a hollow cylindrical portion formingan axially disposed inlet passage and a sectoral portion formingradially disposed supply passages, and a valve body ring comprising acircular, peripherally grooved portion forming a back pressure exhaustpassage diametrically opposite said supply passages.

14. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a distributing valveincluding a valve body comprising a hollow cylindrical portion whichforms an axially disposed inlet passage and a sectoral passage whichforms radially disposed supply passages, and a circular valve body ringenclosing said body and slotted in part to permit projection of saidsectoral portion therethrough and peripherally grooved opposite itsslotted part to provide a back pressure exhaust passage.

15. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a distributing valvecomprising a hollow, cylindrical portion of relatively small radiusforming an axially disposed inlet passage and a sectoral portionotrelatively large radius forming radially disposed supply passages, anda cut off plate positioned interiorly of said cylindrical portion.

16. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a distributing valvecomprising a hollow, cylindrical portion of relatively small radiusforming an axially disposed inlet passage and a sectoral portion ofrelatively large radius forming radially disposed supply passages, and acut off plate positioned interiorly of said cylindrical portion, and anoperating rod for said out off plate positioned axially of said inletpassage.

17. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a distributing valvecomprising a valve body and a valve body ring enclosing said body andsplit transversely with one end secured to said body, a bell crankfulcrumed on said ton slidable in said cylinder and exposed to theinterior and exterior pressure on said ring, a bell crank fulcrumed tosaid body portionwith one arm engaging the other end of said ring andthe other arm pivoted to said piston.

19. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a rotatable casing, astationary valve body within the casing and provided with radial fluidpressure distributing passages having their open outer ends closed bythe casing, said casing having ports for successive alignment with theouter open ends of the distributing passages.

20. In a valve for a fluid pressure engine, a casing, a valve bodywithin the casing'and having an axial inlet and radially disposed fluidpressure distributing passages leading from the axial inlet-to the outerperiphery of the valve body, the outer ends of the dis tributingpassages being closed by the casing, the casing and the valve body beingrelatively rotatable with the casing having ports for successivealignment through the outer open ends of the distributing passages ofthe valve body. V

21. In a Valve for a fluid pressure engine, a casing having a circularinterior, a circular valve body within the casing and provided with anaxial inlet and radial passages leading from the inlet through the outerperiphery of the valve body and closed by the casing, the casing havinga series of ports, the casing and the valve body being relativelyrotatable to bring the ports into successive alignment with the outeropen ends of the distributing passages, the valve also having a backpressure exhaust channel in its outer peripher said channel being of alength to communicate with opposite ports of the casing.

WILLIAM E. BAKER.

